THE SAVIOR'S DEATH

'Lovely was the death
Of Him whose life was love!'

"I am the Living One; I WAS DEAD, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Rev. 1:18

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

'Oh, unspeakable love! Oh mercy inconceivable! Oh most amazing condescension! that God, for the sake of man, should be made man- that God, for man, should die in the flesh- that He should submit 'to be tempted in all things like as we are.' See at how inestimable a price man was redeemed- man, who had enslaved himself to the devil; and had he not been ransomed at so vast a price must unavoidably have suffered eternal damnation.' -Augustine.

THE SAVIOR IN HIS DEATH.

O Savior God! O Lamb once slain!
At thought of You, Your love, Your flowing blood,
All thoughts decay; all things remembered fade;
All hopes return; all actions done by men
Or angels, disappear, absorbed and lost.' -Pollok

The trial and condemnation of our blessed Savior have already been presented to our view. We have traced His weary footsteps from the judgment hall to the summit of Calvary. We have seen Him extended on the cross. We have listened to His last words, and seen Him expire amid the convulsions of nature. Let us now behold Him taken from the cross, and enclosed in the silent tomb, while, at the same time, we consider some of those great practical truths connected with His death.

THE BURIAL OF THE SAVIOR. It was a dark, melancholy period to those disciples of Jesus, who were eyewitnesses of His crucifixion, when they saw Him nailed to the accursed tree, and heard His dying groans on Calvary. What extreme sorrow must have filled their hearts during those solemn hours of His suffering, when even inanimate nature was giving signs of sympathy and mourning- when the heavens were clothed with blackness, and when the earth trembled.

When the multitude assembled on Calvary to witness the crucifixion of Christ had dispersed, and when the evening had come, the few faithful friends of our Lord, who were spectators of His decease, could not endure the thought of leaving Him still extended on the cross after death, as it was usual to do with those who were crucified. Among that little band there was 'a disciple of Jews' more bold than the rest, Joseph of Arimathea, who went to Pilate, and asked that he may take away the body of Jesus for burial. Pilate at first doubted whether Christ was yet dead, as in ordinary cases of crucifixion death did not take place in so short a time; but when he had ascertained the certainty of His death, he finally granted the earnest petition of Joseph. Preparation was now made for the interment of Jesus. Fine linen was procured, with myrrh and aloes to purify His body, 'as the manner of the Jews is to bury.' 'Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance as he left.'

The lowest step in the humiliation of our Savior has now been taken. Clothed in the garbs of death, He is laid in the new tomb of Joseph, and the great stone is rolled to the door of the sepulcher. Now is accomplished the prophecy of the Psalmist, 'You have brought me into the dust of death.' It was on Friday evening that the body of Jesus was committed to the grave, in the presence of a few of His devoted followers. After the solemn scene was ended, all appear to have retired from the sepulcher except some women who had followed the Savior from Galilee. 'Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.' How much to be admired is the conduct of these pious women on that most sad, memorable, and important occasion. They still linger on Calvary after all the multitude, with fearful hearts, had returned. They come near the tomb, behold how the body of Christ is laid in it, and see the great stone rolled at the door of the sepulcher. Though all seems sad and dreary around that sacred mount, they still watch there until the shadows of evening begin to gather over the landscape, and to render still more gloomy the tomb in which Jesus sleeps. They are the last at the sepulcher, manifesting their highest regard for the memory of Him who had so freely bestowed upon them His pardoning mercy- who had sustained and soothed them amid the trials and changes of earth, and guided them in the path which leads to a bright and happy world beyond the grave. At length, leaving the sepulcher, they go to prepare 'spices and ointment,' intending to return after the Sabbath for the purpose of showing more respect to their Lord and Master.

All this time the rulers of the Jews were not idle. Their rage against the Lord, and against His Anointed, was not yet satiated. Remembering that Christ had predicted His own resurrection after three days, and determined, if possible, to prevent its accomplishment, they go to Pilate, and ask that a guard of soldiers may be stationed over against His tomb. Their wish is granted. Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.' The utmost precaution has now been taken by powerless and wicked men to overthrow the divine prediction of Him, in whose hands are the keys of hell and of death- of Him whom it was impossible for the cords of death to hold. Soon was that guarded sepulcher to burst open- soon was He who was 'crucified in weakness,' to rise. by 'the power of God'- soon was that Roman guard to tremble, and fall to the ground as dead men. But before we see the sepulcher open, and the Savior rise in divine majesty, let us consider His death in some of its important relations- as accomplishing the grand designs of Jehovah respecting our race- as bringing peace, righteousness, and salvation to guilty, depraved, lost man, and glory to God in the highest- and as displaying the richness and marvelousness of the divine benevolence.

PREDICTIONS CONCERNING THE SAVIOR'S DEATH. It was by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God that Christ was taken, and by wicked hands crucified and slain. He who rules over all things prepared the way for this astonishing and solemn event, and in various ways made it known to the world long before it occurred. The law and the prophets have particular reference to the death of Jesus. The Psalms are full of predictions relating to His sufferings and death. The bleeding sacrifice on Jewish altars shadowed forth the great expiatory sacrifice, the Lamb of God, that would, in the fullness of time, take away the sin of the world. The paschal lamb, the scapegoat, and the brazen serpent, all pointed to Christ, our Passover, extended on the cross, and slain for us. The whole Mosaic dispensation had respect to His death, as the propitiation for the sins of the world. It all foreshadowed the great mysterious event on Calvary. The law was a shadow of good things to come concerning Christ.

Scripture prophecy has clearly set forth our Savior's death, with the circumstances attending it. Of Him, who was to be the great and good Shepherd of Israel, and who was to lay down His life for His flock, it was prophesied: 'Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man who is my fellow, says the Lord of hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered...' In that fearful night when Jesus was apprehended after His agony in the garden, He called the attention of His disciples to the accomplishment of this remarkable prediction of His death. "Tonight all of you will desert me," Jesus told them. "For the Scriptures say, 'God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

His trial and condemnation were clearly foretold by Isaiah. 'He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off from the land of the living: for the transgression of my people He was stricken.' He was dragged from Gethsemane to the house of the high priest, and the judgment hall of Pilate, and, by a most unrighteous sentence, condemned to death. The very sufferings He endured, while undergoing the mockery of a trial before Caiaphas and Pilate, are clearly brought before our view by the prophetic pen of Inspiration. 'I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face.' This was 'the very manner in which our Savior was treated, as we have already seen. He was mocked- buffeted- struck in the face- a crown of thorns was placed upon His head- and a reed in His right hand. 'And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.' It was foretold that Christ would be bruised, scourged, and pierced. 'But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.' 'They pierced my hands and my feet.' 'And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.' We read of the fulfillment of these predictions in the gospel narrative. 'Then Pilate took Jesus, and scourged Him.' 'One of the soldiers, with a spear, pierced His side.' His hands and feet were also pierced with nails.

How vividly are the sufferings of our Savior on the cross represented by those holy men of God, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit! It was foretold that He would die among criminals. 'He was numbered with the transgressors.' 'He made His grave with the wicked.' In fulfillment of this, the Evangelists tell us that Christ was suspended on the cross between two thieves; while it is added, 'And the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, And He was numbered with the transgressors.' According to prophecy, Messiah was to be buried in the sepulcher of a rich man. 'With the rich in His death.' We have seen that Jesus was laid in the tomb of Joseph, 'a rich man of Arimathea.' The very parting of His garment was foretold by the inspired Psalmist. 'They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my robe.' As the accomplishment of this, Aye read, they 'parted His garments, casting lots.' It was foretold, that amid all His sufferings, He was to be reproached, taunted, and scorned by His persecutors; and the very words they were to use in reproaching Him are mentioned. But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!" How literally was this fulfilled when our blessed Redeemer was enduring the pains of the cress, and the wrath of God due to our sins, His persecutors still manifested their extreme enmity towards Him, exclaiming in derision- "And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!" The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself! So he is the king of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe in him! He trusted God—let God show his approval by delivering him! For he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "

It was foretold that, in His great thirst, vinegar and gall should be offered to Him. 'They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.' When Jesus was hanging on the cross, encompassed by His persecutors, we are told, that 'Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.' The very language that Messiah would use in His last moments, was foretold in these remarkable words; 'My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help?' Just before the Savior expired on the cross, we are told by two Evangelists, that He cried with a loud voice, 'My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?' The exact accomplishment of these striking predictions concerning the death of our Lord and Savior, should confirm our faith in His divine character, and lead us to rely with an unshakened confidence on His infinite merits for a happy and glorious immortality. May the cheering light of this 'more sure of word of prophecy', which shines in this world of moral darkness, guide our wandering steps to Him who is the bright and Morning Star- whose transcendent beauty, and excellency, and glory, will be the sublime, enrapturing theme of the heavenly throng through all the innumerable ages of bliss.

THE SAVIOR'S DEATH WAS A MOST COSTLY SACRIFICE. What could be so costly as this- the shedding of the blood of Emmanuel? This was the richest gift that heaven could confer on a world of transgressors.
Of all the gifts Your hand bestows,
Oh Giver of all good,
Not heaven itself, a richer knows,
Than my Redeemer's blood.

It is the precious blood of Christ, streaming from the cross, by which we are redeemed to God. 'You know that we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.' How costly is the price of our redemption! Who can estimate the value of this divine oblation? It is a sum too vast for human computation. It is of matchless worth!

If we would view this subject in a proper light, we must consider the infinite dignity and excellency of the Person of Christ, the depth of His humiliation, and the original character of those for whom He gave His life a ransom. While we think of Him as possessing equal and untold glory with the Father, from the days of eternity, we must also look at Him coming into the world to be persecuted and despised- to endure hardships, torture, and pain- to be most truly a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief- to suffer and bleed in the garden, and to yield His breath amid the agonies of a crucifixion.

All this, we must remember, was for apostate man– whose heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. This price was not paid for the redemption of fallen angels. 'For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.' And the angels who kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.' How significantly does the apostle say; 'For you are bought with A PRICE;' -a price infinitely costly and glorious! And well is it added, in consideration of this most costly sacrifice, 'Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.' Here is a most powerful incentive to diligence and fervency in the Christian life- to lead us to devote ourselves entirely to the service of Him who claims us as His own, and who has ransomed us with so vast a price. 'For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.' Should not such a consideration as this arouse us from our deep, spiritual lethargy, and make us live for God and a glorious immortality.

O Christian, when you think of the inestimable price which was paid for jour redemption, may a song of praise ascend from your inmost soul to Him who has loved you, and washed you from your sins in His own precious blood. Unceasingly lift up your hands to God, and bless His holy name for providing such a sacrifice for our sins, even His only begotten Son, the brightness of His glory, the express image of His Person, the Creator and Preserver of the universe. Adoringly we would we say with the apostle; 'Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words!' How alarming and dreadful is the condition of those who lightly esteem this costly sacrifice, since 'there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries!' The last efficacious sacrifice for sin has been offered; when Christ appears again, it will be 'without sin unto salvation.' Then learn to prize this sacrifice. It is too precious to he slighted. Flee to the Lamb of God. Take refuge in His atoning sacrifice; and the storms of divine vengeance will never break upon you; for God is now pacified towards you by the death of His Son.

You, who are interested in the death of Jesus, look upwards with joy and hope. The heavens are serene and smiling: no clouds overcast the ski of yonder bright world to which you are hastening. Jesus has made peace by the blood of His cross, and brought us near to God, and to the eternal enjoyment of His favor and love. In a little while, you, who are glorying in this costly sacrifice, will enter the gates of that City which shines like the sun, whose streets are pure gold, whose gates are pearls, and whose light is the glory of God and of the Lamb. '...your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.'

'Not all the blood of beasts
On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace
Or wash away the stain.
But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name
And richer blood than they.
My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of Thine,
While, like a penitent, I stand,
And there confess my sin.
My soul looks back to see
The burdens You did bear
When hanging on the cursed tree,
And hopes her guilt was there.
Believing, we rejoice
To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And sing His bleeding love.'

THE DESIGN OF THE SAVIOR'S DEATH. The grand design of the Savior's death was the promotion of God's glory in the salvation of countless multitudes of the human race, who were enthralled by the bondage of sin, Satan, and the world. All those sufferings of the blessed Jesus in the garden, in the judgment hall, and on the cross, were endured for this very purpose, that a complete, glorious atonement might be made; that man might be reconciled to God, saved from sin, delivered from the wrath to come, sanctified through the truth, and finally brought home to the mansions of glory. And as soon as the death of Christ was accomplished, the anger of God was turned away from us, because His justice was satisfied, the law magnified and made honorable, and an acceptable sacrifice offered for sin. The design of Christ's death is a glorious, refreshing theme, on which we would dwell more particularly.

THE SAVIOR DIED TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR SIN. This is the grand doctrine of Christianity- the foundation on which all our hopes of future felicity are established- the principle which sustains us amid all the trials of life, and which cheers us in the evening of our earthly pilgrimage, when the soul is about to pass to the shores of an eternal world, and to appear before the bar of God. Nothing can be more animating to the awakened, anxious, trembling sinner, than the divine declaration, that Jesus died to save him: and for the consolation of all such, this doctrine is exhibited in the clearest light throughout the Scriptures. 'For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.' 'For in that He died, He died unto sin once.' 'For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.' 'But now once at the end of the world He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.' 'For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.' 'By His death He has finished the transgression, and made an end of sin.' 'Who gave Himself for our sins.' How wonderful that Christ the eternal Son of God, should thus voluntarily give Himself up to sufferings and to death, to make atonement for sin!

O my soul, attentively consider this most astonishing and mysterious event- Jesus, the brightness of the Father's glory, giving Himself for sin! May this blessed truth dwell in every heart, and its praises be uttered by every tongue. Let us ever magnify the riches of this grace. If the Redeemer had not died to save us, what would have been our future destiny? Would not the redemption of our souls have ceased forever? Who could have saved us if Jesus had not left His throne, to bring salvation to us?

THE SAVIOR DIED TO RECONCILE US TO GOD. 'And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight.' Man was originally at peace with God; for he was created in holiness and happiness; but when sin entered the garden of Eden, his career of rebellion and enmity commenced. And since that sad hour, the whole world has been lying in wickedness- far from God, through enmity against Him. How astonishing that the mind of man should be filled with such inveterate enmity against its blessed Creator- that it should hate His holy and righteous law; slight the only remedy for all our spiritual disease, the Gospel of His Son; delight in that which is impure and odious in the sight of heaven- love the heavy burden of sin; and take pleasure in provoking God to anger by all manner of wicked works! 'Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! This is what the Lord says: "The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me!" 'The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay, says the Lord.'

It is, indeed, a sad truth, that man has raised the flag of rebellion against heaven- that his mind, in a state of nature, is enmity itself against the ever blessed God. 'The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.' Every unrenewed man hates God, the most excellent and glorious Being, the Fountain of all light, and life, and felicity, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. He does not love to think of the nature of that Being who is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and who cannot look on iniquity. God is not in all his thoughts. The language of depraved hearts to God is, "...they say to God, 'Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him?' Job 21:14-15.

Now, to bring the wicked, and rebellious heart of man into a state of reconciliation with God, our blessed Savior assumed humanity, and poured out His precious blood upon the cross. By this costly sacrifice the glorious work was accomplished: and now, 'You, who once were far off, are made near by the blood of Christ.' In His death He effected, in a most wonderful and mysterious manner, our reconciliation to God. 'When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.' 'And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.' In the striking and expressive words of Bunyan, 'Is this indeed the truth of God, that Christ was made to be sin for me? was made the curse of God for me? Has He indeed borne all my sins, and spilt His blood for my redemption! O blessed tidings! O welcome grace!' 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.' Now has peace come; now the face of heaven is altered: "Behold, all things have become new." Now the sinner can abide God's presence, yes, sees unutterable glory and beauty in Him.

This is the glory of the great reconciling work on Calvary– it brings us near to God. It brings us into a state of friendship with the Father of spirits- a state in which the believer, even oil earth, is filled with the peace of God, which passes all understanding; while, at the same time, he is prepared for the highest pleasures, the purest joys, and the most enrapturing scenes in heaven. What perennial streams of pleasure, arising from an interest in this divine reconciliation, will flow to those who have overcome through the blood of the cross, when they are made pillars in the temple of God, to go no more out- when from the mansions of the blessed, it shall be proclaimed: 'I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

Through eternity it will be a matter of the greatest wonder, as well as the sweetest and most sublime song, that the great God, the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity- whom we had by wicked works so highly offended- should ever have 'reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ;' and condescended to dwell with us who were once so vile, and rebellious, and wretched. Oh, the depth of the riches of the mercy of God!- a mercy surpassing all wonders- boundless as the heavens- vast as eternity. Will God in very deed dwell with man reconciled to Him by a suffering Savior? Yes, He will. By this 'new and living way' of reconciliation, we may come to Him, and dwell in His presence, where is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore.
'Glory to God in heaven above,
On earth sweet peace and sacred love;
Good will to men- the foe is foiled,
And God and sinners reconciled.'

Are WE reconciled to God by the death of His Son? Are we at peace with Heaven through the blood of the cross? Is God in all our thoughts? Is Jesus precious to us? Are we renewed in the spirit of our mind? Do we delight in the things of God? Are our affections elevated far above earthly objects? Do they center on the Savior, and on spiritual, heavenly, and eternal things? If so, then we are reconciled to God. Then is God pacified towards us. Most desirable and happy state, to be reconciled to God! But, on the other hand, are we still alienated from the life of God- still without God, and without hope in the world- still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity? Do we set our minds on earthly things, and cling to them with an unrelenting grasp? Do we still forget God, and heaven, and eternity? This is to be unreconciled to God. And how fearful is such a state, especially in a day of gospel reconciliation! What will become of us who reject those gracious terms of peace- this last reconciliation- and put the grace of God far from ourselves? If God is unreconciled to us, who will sustain us amid the trials and conflicts of earth? W ho will 'speak peace' to our soul when about to embark on the boundless ocean of eternity? Who will smooth our dying pillow, and point us to a blessed rest beyond the grave? Who will open to us the gates of the celestial city, that we may enter in, and walk its golden streets? How can we appear before the tribunal of our unreconciled Judge to answer for the innumerable transgressions of our lives? How can we listen to His just and irrevocable sentence of condemnation?

While you still linger on the borders of the ocean of eternity- while God is yet waiting to be gracious, while the blood of Jesus yet speaks peace to your soul, we beseech you to be reconciled to God. Make peace with Him through faith in Christ. 'Acquaint yourself now with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto you.'
'O Savior; may we never rest
Till You are formed within;
Till You have calmed our troubled breast,
And crushed the power of sin.
Oh, may we gaze upon Your cross,
Until the wondrous sight
Makes earthly treasures seem but dross,
And earthly sorrows light.
Until released from carnal ties,
Our spirit upwards springs;
And sees true peace above the skies,
True joy in heavenly things.
There, as we gaze, may we become
United, Lord, to Thee;
And in a fairer, happier home
Your perfect beauty see.'

THE SAVIOR DIED TO DELIVER US FROM THE WRATH TO COME. 'Even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.' 'For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.' When man sinned, he became exposed to the fierce wrath of God. 'For because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.' Of every unbeliever it is said, 'The wrath of God abides on him.' But who can describe this wrath? Who can tell how terrible it is? In the Scripture it is spoken of as a 'worm that never dies' 'a lake which burns with fire and brimstone' 'the fierce wrath of God' 'everlasting punishment.'

Now, from all this wrath, Jesus by His death on the cross delivers us. How cheering to the awakened and anxious sinner is the glorious announcement which the gospel makes! Oh the sacred page this precious truth is most conspicuously exhibited– that Jesus endured the weight of divine wrath due to us for sin. Yes, in His unparalleled love, He sustained the dreadful load in our place, and by His own blood discharged the mighty sum of human guilt! 'Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.'

The death of Christ works for us a complete deliverance front all the penal consequences of sin in the world to come. 'Who is He that condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, rather that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.' God, in His incomparable benevolence, is now saying to every one who is interested in the death of His Son- 'For a small moment have I forsaken you, but with great mercies will I gather you. In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.'

How great should be our gratitude to Him, who by the costly price of His blood has ransomed us from an eternity of woe. As we journey through life, we should bless God every day for His boundless mercy in the gift of His Son to us sinners: and we should ever adore the Savior for His sacrificial offering to appease the wrath of offended Heaven. We should continually rejoice in God our Savior. 'And not only so, but we also rejoice in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.'

What exercise so delightful, in a world where sin has abounded, as recording the rich grace of our God, and chanting the praises of the sinner's Friend! May we never cease, while passing through the wilderness of earth, to extol in sweetest songs the wonders of redeeming love! And when the darkness of mortality is past, may it be our blissful employment in that bright temple beyond the skies, the home of the saints, to raise a never-ending song to the Lamb that sits upon the throne. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving- kindness and tender mercies.'
'Bless the Lord, my soul, and sing
Unceasing praises to Your King,
Whose love through all His counsels shines,
Transcendent, matchless, and divine.'

Oh great and merciful Deliverer, who died to save us from the pains of hell, we adore Your holy name, and magnify Your wondrous grace. We praise You for assuming our nature, and sustaining the dreadful load of divine vengeance, when we were without strength to bear it. We thank You for making Your soul an offering for sin in our stead, and delivering us from the wrath to come.
'What thanks I owe You, and what love;
A boundless, endless store;
Shall echo through the realms above,
When time shall be no more.'

Before the storm comes let us fasten to Him who came to save: let us build our hopes of eternal felicity on Christ alone; for He is the only sure, immovable foundation. 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' In Him we are safe- safe amid the storms of time, and the flames of the last great day of wrath- safe through all the circling years of eternity. The storm may come- the winds may blow- the waves may dash- the rain may descend- but in Christ we will stand unmoved, while the wicked fall around us; for we are fixed on the Rock of Ages, against which no power is able to prevail. We are upheld by those hands which have stretched out the heavens, and from which no one on earth or hell is able to cast us down. 'In the Lord Jehovah is the Rock of Ages.' 'And a man shall be a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.'

THE SAVIOR DIED TO OBTAIN ETERNAL SALVATION FOR US. By His obedience, sufferings, and death, he has become 'the author of eternal salvation unto all those who obey Him.' 'Having obtained eternal redemption for us.' All the felicities the redeemed shall enjoy through the ages of immortality will come from the fruits of His death.
'These lively hopes we owe
To Jesus' dying love;
We would adore His brace below,
And sing His power above.'

Who can tell what those heavenly felicities are, which our blessed Lord and Savior has obtained for us? Can any one have a proper conception of the glory of Heaven? No. It is a bliss beyond all thought; it is declared that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' It is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, in comparison with which the 'splendor of earth' is but a fading flower- a shadow which passes quickly away. Great indeed is that salvation which Jesus, by His agony and death, has procured for us. Unspeakable are the blessings it brings to the redeemed in the mansions above.

It includes a deliverance from all condemnation- brings the believer under the shadow of the tree of life in the midst of Paradise- supplies him with the hidden manna- conducts him to living fountains of waters- invests him with the robe of righteousness- places upon his head a crown which never fades, and fills him with joys which never end. It includes the most sweet, intimate, and lasting communion with a triune God- with the holy angels- with the great and good of every age and nation, that innumerable company who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. It delivers him from all the ills of the present life. In yon bright-walled city of the New Jerusalem, there are no storms- no conflicts - no darkness- no sickness- no death. There the Sun of Righteousness is always shining in meridian splendor– and under His beams all is joy and gladness. There Jesus, in His own glorified humanity, will lead His ransomed ones to fountains of immortal bliss; and with a gentle hand, wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Yes, His own soft hand shall wipe the tears
From every weeping eye,
And pains, and groans, and griefs, and fears,
And death itself shall die.'
By the expiatory sacrifice of Himself, our blessed Savior has not only obtained eternal glory for us, but as the Captain of our salvation, He will finally conduct us into the 'inheritance of the purchased possession,' where we shall ever remain as monuments to the praise of the glory of His grace. And how consoling to the afflicted child of God is the thought that his eternal salvation is near- so near that there is but a step between him and the felicities of heaven. The glory of the upper world is ready to be revealed to us. 'Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.' The night is almost passed. The day is at hand. The Morning Star appears. In a little while, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with His effulgent beams, and shine in those new heavens, wherein righteousness dwells, rejoicing the countless multitudes of glorified saints.

Christian pilgrim, when your momentary existence on earth is passed, you will experience all the blessings of that eternal life which Jesus gives. And how swiftly is time passing over you, bearing you onward and upward to the land of pleasure, rest, and praise. Already you may be drinking your last cup of earthly sorrow. Already your last conflict may have commenced. You may be ready to finish your course with joy- ready to depart in peace and triumph, to receive the crown of righteousness in heaven. God may be now sending forth some angelic messenger to carry your happy spirit to Abraham's bosom; and you may he just ready to say to your weeping friends- I am going home to my mansion in the skies, to be clothed with the garments of salvation, and to drink at the fountain of living waters. I am going home to Jesus, my elder Brother, my everlasting Friend, my Savior, my God. I am going home to meet those dear friends, who have gone before me to the saints' rest, and to join the innumerable company of angels, and the redeemed, in celebrating the wonders of Calvary- the unsearchable riches of Christ. In that heavenly home, I shall enjoy, through an unclouded day, the blessings of eternal salvation purchased by the Redeemer on the cross. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

'What reason have we to rejoice now, when we think how near eternity is, and how short the journey through this wilderness, and that it is but a step from earth to heaven. With joy, then, let us look upwards to the everlasting hills- to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; for our 'redemption draws near.'

'Awake, you saints, and raise your eyes,
And raise your voices high;
Awake, and praise that sovereign love,
That shows salvation nigh.
On all the wings of time it flies,
Each moment brings it near;
Then welcome each declining day!
Welcome each closing year!
Not many years their rounds shall run,
Nor many mornings rise,
Before all its glories stand revealed
To our admiring eyes.
You wheels of nature, speed your course;
You mortal powers, decay;
Fast as you bring the night of death,
You bring Eternal Day.'

THE SAVIOR'S DEATH WAS NECESSARY FOR OUR SALVATION. It was necessary to carry into effect the eternal counsel of God. 'But you followed God's prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him.' 'That is what has happened here in this city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. In fact, everything they did occurred according to your eternal will and plan.' The sufferings and death of Jesus were only the accomplishment of that grand scheme of redemption, devised in the ages of eternity by God the Father. When, in the fullness of time, the Son of God came to execute His mediatorial office, every pain he endured, every groan He uttered, every torture that was inflicted on Him, was laid out, for Him by the eternal Father. All was necessary.

His death was necessary for the expiation of sin. If He had not condescended to suffer, and bleed, and die, the gates of Paradise must have remained forever closed against the sinner, and one universal wail of despair ascended from the human race. In the gospel dispensation, blood must be shed before the sinner could be redeemed to God. Without shedding of blood is no remission. Mark how emphatic is the language- 'no remission.' But the blood which flowed on Jewish altars could not take away sin. 'For it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.' 'Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.' Now when the blood of Christ was poured out on Calvary, we, who were afar off from God and glory, were brought near to Him in whose favor is life, and in whose presence is fullness of joy. Delightful thought!

While with wonder and gratitude we think of the stupendous work of redeeming man, a message most welcome and cheering comes to us through the revelation which has been made from heaven. It is the song of salvation. It is the gospel sound. It is the voice of God, proclaiming pardon and peace to a lost world through the shedding of the blood of Christ. Listen to it, you who are ready to say, There is no hope, and to lie down in sorrow and despair- "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her in full for all her sins." Here, we have the greatest cause for admiration, gratitude, and praise. How can we sufficiently admire the matchless grace of our Redeemer in interposing in our behalf, and saving us by the shedding of His blood! How can we adequately express our gratitude to Him for favors so great and divine! Should we not praise Him forever? Should we not adopt the beautiful language of the Psalmist: 'I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless You; and I will praise Your name forever and ever!' Should not our love towards Him constantly increase, as we journey through life, until it burns with seraphic ardor in the courts above?

'Praise, then, His glorious name,
Publish His exalted fame!
Still His worth your praise exceeds,
Excellent are all His deeds.
Praise again the joyful sound,
Let the nations roll it round!
Zion, shout, for this is He,
God the Savior dwells in thee.'

O divine Savior, whose blood streamed from the cross, to cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and to open the everlasting doors of glory for us, inspire us with the strongest love to You for that most marvelous display of Your condescension and benevolence. Fill our souls with transporting views of the glory of Calvary. May we see the preciousness of the blood of the cross, its suitableness to our need, and the necessity of its being shed, to bring us back to God and to the joys of Paradise. May we have redemption through Your blood, obtaining the forgiveness of all our sins, according to the riches of Your grace. May we go on our way rejoicing in a reconciled God, and making mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only; and when we come to contend with the last enemy, even death, the sting of which is sin, may Your blood speak peace to our departing souls, still every tempest that may arise within us, silence all our accusers, and cause us to rejoice with unspeakable joy as we pass the valley of mortality to awaken amid the realities of eternal scenes.

It was necessary that the Savior should become obedient unto death, before He entered upon His state of glorification as our Mediator at the right hand of God, for He 'could not have a mediatorial glory until He had offered His mediatorial sacrifice.' This is strongly set forth by the Savior Himself, in His beautiful and expressive discourse to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. 'Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?' Before He would be exalted to those realms of bliss, where He now sways the scepter of the universe, He must endure the bitterest sorrow, and torture, and pain, and agony. He must be buffeted, spit upon, reviled, crowned with thorns, nailed to the cross, assailed by the powers of darkness, forsaken by God the Father, and left to expire in the agonies of an accursed death.

Here, then, is the grand foundation of His exaltation, as well as our own future happiness- His suffering those things which were necessary for Him to suffer, to fulfill all that the prophets have spoken of His obedience unto death. From the lowest step in His humiliation and suffering, He rises to the highest seat in glory. 'He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall He lift up the head.' When He 'purged our sins' by His sufferings and death, the 'everlasting doors' of heaven were opened for Him; and, as the King of glory, He has entered and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.' Most highly did God the Father exalt Him. Most gloriously was He recompensed, when by His own blood He entered into heaven, to appear in the presence of God for us. As the reward of His atoning work, God received Him back to glory, made Him Lord both of the dead and living, and gave Him dominion over all things. 'Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 'Now we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor.'

Glorious Redeemer, from those mansions of bliss, where You are now clothed in divine majesty and mighty power, stoop down in pity and compassion upon us pilgrims in a land of darkness, in a vale of tears, in the valley of the shadow of death. O You, who, amid scenes of extreme sorrow, walked this gloomy pathway to that bright world on high, we beseech You to nerve our feeble arm for enduring the tribulations of the world; support us in the darkest hour of adversity, and amid the fiercest assaults of the foes of our salvation. While on earth, You sympathized with the sons and daughters of affliction, and now in glory You are still touched with the memory of our woes. May this consideration animate us amid the most painful vicissitudes and afflictions of time. May we also see that You, the Captain of our salvation, were 'made perfect through sufferings,' and for the sake of these sufferings, exalted in the heavenly places to a throne and a scepter which will endure forever.

And may we see that 'much tribulation' on earth is also necessary to make us perfect, and to prepare us for entering upon the saints' everlasting rest. What we most implore is Your strength and gracious presence 'in the fires,' and 'in the waters.' O blessed Savior, be with us in all the sufferings of our earthly course; and when the last battle is fought, and the last enemy conquered, grant that we, having overcome through Your blood, may sit with You on Your throne, even as You have overcome, and are sat down with Your Father on His throne.

THE SAVIOR HIS DEATH HAS MANIFESTED THE GREATEST LOVE TO MANKIND. 'Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' 'Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.' Here is indeed unexampled love. Christ died not only for His friends, but for His enemies. Here is love whose vastness cannot be told- which passes all knowledge- which fills the mind with wonder and joy. What amazing love is here seen in the sufferings and death of the Savior! The eternal Son of God agonizing for us in Gethsemane and on Calvary- pouring out His blood for the remission of our sins! Surely, there never before was such a manifestation of love to the sons of men. How great must be that love which brought Emmanuel from the heights of glory to the depths of suffering, from a throne of felicity, to endure the death of the cross! We may sooner fathom the deepest ocean, or measure the dimensions of earth, or scan the height of heaven, than comprehend the vastness of the redeeming love of Jesus. 'You see in Him an ocean of love without bottom, without bounds, overflowing the banks of heaven, streaming down upon this poor world to wash away the vileness of man! It is an ocean we cannot fathom it. The best act of our souls towards Christ's love is admiration, astonishing admiration, until the heart is quite overwhelmed with it- until our thoughts and understandings are, as it were, lost: the soul is taken out of itself, and laid in the dust as nothing, to be swallowed up in a holy contemplation of the unspeakable, inconceivable love of Jesus Christ.' (Owen)

With all the brightest discoveries we can make of this love, it is but comparatively little we know of its nature and vastness this side the grave. It has a height to which no intelligence can soar, a depth which no one can fathom, a breadth and length which can never be measured. Here let us pause, and exclaim with astonishment and admiration, when we consider the ways of God to man. "Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.

'And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge!'
'O love divine!- harp, lift up your voice on high!
Shout, angels! shout aloud, you sons of men!
And burn, my heart, with the eternal flame!
My lyre; be eloquent with endless praise!
O love divine! immeasurable love!
Stooping from heaven to earth, from earth to hell,
Without beginning, endless, boundless love!
Above all asking, giving far, to those
Who nothing deserved, who nothing deserved but death. Saving the vilest! saving me! O love Divine!'

In vain will we search for language to express the magnitude of this divine love. It has a length which reaches from everlasting to everlasting; a breadth that encompasses every intelligence and every interest; a depth which reaches the lowest state of human degradation and misery; and a height that throws floods of glory on the throne and crown of Jehovah. A glory beams from the Savior's love, which enkindles holy rapture in the minds of the heavenly host, and gives rise to the sweetest songs of Paradise. Yes–
'This subject fills the starry plains
With wonder, joy, and love;
And furnishes the noblest strains
For all the harps above.'

Can the loftiest seraph that adores in the presence of Jehovah fathom the depth of this love? No! It is a mystery which the minds of men and angels cannot fully unravel- a theme the contemplation of which will ever pour new rays of glory into the noblest intellects on high, while this mighty subject will remain unexhausted through the ages of bliss. "Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything there is to know about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—but who are you? It is deeper than the underworld—what can you know in comparison to him? It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea."

If we would learn something of its vastness, we must consider the character and dignity of Him by whom it was manifested. Had one of those holy angels who minister in the presence of God on high clothed himself with garments of humanity, and amid the most intense and indescribable sufferings, finished his earthly course on a cross, for the purpose of redeeming a race of sinners from everlasting destruction; how immeasurable would have been the benevolence displayed in such a condescending act? It must have filled us with amazement, and excited the strongest feelings of gratitude. But how shall we express our admiration and praise, when we see Him whom seraphim adore, stooping from heaven to earth, to encircle the vile in the arms of His mercy; when we see Him, who is infinite in power, and majesty, and riches, and glory, voluntarily placing Himself in the room of rebels on earth; when we see Jesus, the brightness of His Father's glory, stretched upon the cross, racked with the most intense pain of body, and soul, and suffering for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God!

How amazing that He, who, by His infinite power, could have at once annihilated our rebellious race, or consigned us to everlasting punishment, should, for a season, divest Himself of His heavenly glory, visit earth, stoop so low in humiliation, become so poor, suffer so much, endure such a shameful, painful, and accursed death, for the purpose of making us eternally rich, holy, and happy in the Paradise of God! Here is the most sublime exhibition of the marvelous grace of our blessed Lord and Savior towards us sinners. 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.

The contemplation of the Savior's love in his death, fills all holy minds with a delight which the men of the world never experience. It is a stream of pleasure which will ever flow to refresh the pious soul, and to fill it with rapturous joy. On earth it is the Christian's daily theme of contemplation, and in heaven it will be his unceasing song. Here on earth, we know but little of its origin, its effects, and its fruits; there, with angels and the redeemed we shall continually study its dimensions, and learn much of its greatness and incomparable excellence. Here, we see it as through a glass darkly ; there, we shall view it in the brightness of heaven's light. Here, we only taste of the stream of love; there, we shall freely drink at the never-failing fountain, while the ceaseless ages of glory are revolving.

The dying love of the Savior! What glory will it bring to the redeemed in those blissful realms beyond the Skies! Look forward to that solemn period when the heavenly invitation has been given to the righteous: 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' The whole family of God is before the throne; and on heaven's golden plains is sung a new song which employs every celestial harp. It is the song of redeeming love! It has respect to Him who expired on Calvary. How sweet are those heavenly notes which are tuned by the harmonious voice of saints and angels: "And they sang in a mighty chorus: "The Lamb is worthy—the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." "And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever." Thus will the love of the Savior in His death be celebrated through all the ages of immortality.

What impression has this Divine love made upon our minds? Can we view all this manifestation of infinite compassion and benevolence with a cold or indifferent heart? Are we insensible to the strongest love that has ever been manifested to the world? Do we still make light of this grace of Jesus? Let us not despise such amazing love. Let us turn from every earthly object, and fix our thoughts upon the love of the Savior in His death. Here, let our meditations be sweet: and let us say with the inspired penmen: 'We will delight in Your love more than wine.' 'We love Him, because He first loved us.' 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

Adorable Redeemer, what wondrous love did You display, while stretched on the cross, suffering under the weight of our sins? Then You manifested a love which all the floods of divine wrath could not extinguish a love which wicked men and devils could not diminish- a love stronger than death. How shall we speak of love so astonishing as Yours, O Friend of sinners! Its glories surpass all thought! It is the sweetest theme of saints and angels before the throne! It is the wonder of heaven.
'Well might the skies with wonder view,
A love so strange as Thine,
No thought of angels ever knew
Compassion so divine!'

Surely it was nothing but infinite love that brought You, blessed Jesus, from the mansions of glory to the manger of Bethlehem, and the cross of Calvary. You well knew beforehand all those sufferings that were to be endured by You in manifesting Your redeeming love to a world of sinners. The agony in the garden, the stripes and buffetings in the judgment hall- the piercing of Your hands and feet- the revilings of Your foes- the conflicts with the powers of darkness- the overwhelming bitterness of Your Father's wrath- the weight of a world's guilt laid upon You- the bitter cry of desertion- the burning thirst, the pain and agony of that fearful hour, when the light of the sun faded in the heavens, when the earth trembled, and when the graves burst open- all, all were clearly foreseen by You. And though You knew every ingredient in that bitter cup which the Father gave You to drink, yet Your language was, 'Yes, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me; I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.'

In Your incomparable love for us, most willingly did You go forth with 'garments dyed in blood' to suffer and to die. Oh, reveal Your dying love to our souls, and transform us into Your most holy image. Inflame our cold affections with new displays of Your benevolence, and may we be enabled in some measure to comprehend with all saints what is its breadth, and length, and depth, and height of Your love. May the wondrous theme of Your redeeming love be our delightful study on earth- may it refresh our souls in the hour of death- may it be our song through all eternity.

Your dying love, O Lord, reveal
That love which melts the heart of steel;
Each stubborn will in mercy bow,
And lay the rebel sinner low.
Arise, Oh Sun of Righteousness,
And all Your waiting people bless;
Arise upon our hearts, and shine
Until every heart be wholly Thine.
Inflame our cold affections, Lord;
Renew them by Your quickening word;
Bind every thought in willing chains,
Until not a rebel thought remains.'

Blessed Jesus, we beseech You to give us a saving interest us in Your atoning work on Calvary. Without a personal interest in those blessings which You have purchased by Your death on the cross, we will be truly miserable. 'Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.' In vain is true and permanent happiness sought for in the things of this world: all beneath the skies is unsatisfying to all immortal spirit. Then raise our affections above these vain transitory objects, and worldly cares, which so much engross the attention of the men of the world. May we experience those imperishable joys which will enrich our souls to all eternity. May Your death be our life- our hope- our joy- our glory. Wash away our guilty stains in Your blood, and prepare us for the endless pleasures at Your right hand. Then may the joyful day soon arrive, when some celestial messenger shall conduct our souls to the rest on high, in the mansions of Your Father's house, where praise shall be our beloved employment, while crowned with immortal felicity in the presence of God and angels, and of the spirits of just men made perfect.

'It is by Your Death we live, O Lord;
It is on Your cross we rest,
Forever be Your love adored,
Your name forever blest.'

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